Under-fire Melbourne Victory boss Mehmet Durakovic’s authority has been further undermined, with star striker Harry Kewell appointing his own personal coach.
In a move certain to leave people wondering just who is running the A-League’s self-proclaimed biggest club, former Argentinian World Cup player Abel Balbo is set to work with Kewell on a one-on-one basis.
His wider brief is to ensure the 33-year-old is on track for the 2014 World Cup.
Balbo is represented by Kewell’s agent Bernie Mandic.
The 37-time international has been linked with a variety of jobs in Australia, including the Victory football director’s role made vacant with Francis Awaritefe’s sacking this week.
The Victory confirmed on Wednesday Balbo was set to become involved in Kewell’s personal training regime.
However, the club denied Balbo would join the club fulltime as Awaritefe’s replacement.
It is understood the option of Balbo working fulltime with the Victory had been floated by Mandic, but was rejected by the club’s board.
Now Balbo’s emergence in a third-party involvement with the club has heaped further pressure on all at the Victory, a club which is looking rudderless and faction-riddled off-field as well as their on-field problems.
It adds further intrigue as to whether the Victory board will stick with Durakovic despite the club’s indifferent start to the season, or bow to pressure and sack him.
While there has been heavy fan support for Durakovic to be axed, there is also pressure from higher influences building on the rookie coach.
Managing director Richard Wilson has backed Durakovic, saying on Tuesday: “This club is not in crisis. Mehmet is going to be given every opportunity with this coaching structure to succeed.”
But a poor result against bottom side Gold Coast United at AAMI Park on Sunday could force a board rethink after the listlessness on show in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Perth Glory.
Kewell remains in doubt for the weekend’s match because of a hamstring injury.
Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich said Durakovic needed to show he was in total on-field control ahead of the Gold Coast match, and urged the board to keep faith with him.
“In a football dressing room, there is no room for a democracy. There is just one boss and, while Mehmet Durakovic is still in charge, he has to be the boss,” Bosnich told Fox Sports.
“Mehm needs to say ‘there’s one boss here, and that’s me’.
“And if players don’t start performing, I’ll be bringing other players in.”
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